Networking Tips To Connect With Your Coworkers

Networking is a key component in today’s marketplace, especially if you want to land the job of your dreams. But you may not think it’s necessary if you already have a job.

There are still plenty of reasons to continue your networking efforts. And there are many benefits of doing so within your workplace. If you work for a large company, chances are you may not know half of the people you work with.

Making an impression on a coworker isn’t like networking to find a new job. It really just takes being friendly and starting a conversation to learn something about them. Here are a few tips for networking within your current workplace.

Have A Conversation Over Lunch

You may be one of those people who never takes a lunch. It’s time to start. You need to unwind and take a break. If you’re going to the break room anyway, try striking up a conversation with someone instead of sitting in the corner by yourself.

This is a perfect opportunity to discuss matters not related to work and could even lead to a strong personal and business connection. Most people will welcome a lunchtime conversation, but you should also be respectful and notice certain signs if the other person doesn’t want to talk at the moment.

Just Be Friendly

We all learned this in kindergarten. To have a friend, be a friend. Simply asking someone how their day is going or just smiling at them in the hallway can create a memorable moment.

It also creates somewhat of an icebreaker when you see the same person in the break room, elevator or anywhere else you have a few seconds to strike up a conversation. Friendliness is closely related to familiarity, and the more your face is familiar to others, the easier it will be to connect with them.

Introduce Yourself to New Hires

It is intimidating being the new person, and you have an opportunity to make connections with them. A newly hired professional in your organization is likely eager to meet as many people as possible.

Even if you aren’t comfortable with networking at any capacity, talking to a new hire is easy. If you know their name ahead of time, you can look at their LinkedIn profile to help you with a conversation starter. Give the new hire some useful tips and they’ll remember you and connect with you more often.

Stay Connected On LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an easy networking tool. And your first level connections should be made with the people who currently work with. Those are the easiest connections to make. In fact, LinkedIn may even recognize the same company name in other profiles and suggest you connect with them.

When you make LinkedIn connections with people in your workplace, you’ll build some familiarity and make conversations much easier to get started when you interact in person.

When thinking about networking, don’t overlook your current workplace. Take the time to meet new people, connect with people on LinkedIn, and make some deeper connections with people you may already know. The people there are natural connections you have that can be great resources now, and in the future.